Sangrur Hooch Tragedy: ECI Seeks Immediate Response As Death Toll Rises To 20; SIT Formed

ECI has sought an immediate response from Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP regarding the Sangrur hooch tragedy. A four-member SIT has also been formed to investigate the matter.

Punjab Police investigating the Sangrur hooch tragedy.

Source : PTI

The Election Commission of India on Saturday sought an immediate report from the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP, regarding the Sangrur hooch tragedy through Punjab CEO. The Punjab CEO had written a letter to Punjab's Chief Secretary and DGP, asking them to send an immediate preliminary and a detailed report to apprise the commission about the entire incident.  Additionally, a four-member special investigation team has been formed to supervise the investigation into the incident which has claimed the lives of around 20 people and injured 20 others.

A high-level committee has been set up to monitor the uncovering of forward and backward linkages scientifically and professionally in order to expose the nexus behind the matter.

The SIT will be headed by ADGP Law & Order Gurinder Dhillon IPS. The other members include DIG Patiala Range Harcharan Bhullar IPS, SSP Sangrur Sartaj Chahal IPS & Additional Commissioner (Excise) Naresh Dubey.

The people who suffered injuries are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Patiala and Sangrur district, according to the commission's information. 11 people are undergoing treatment at Patiala's Rajindra Hospital while six people are receiving treatment at the Civil Hospital in Sangrur. 

As per police officials, the casualties have been reported from Tibbi Ravidaspura, Gujran, and Dhandoli Khurd villages located in Sunam and Dirba blocks, PTI reported.

So far the police have arrested six people in connection with the case. A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and the Excise Act was also registered. The police stated that they busted a gang that began selling spurious liquor in the area ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The district administration also formed a five-member committee to investigate the matter. It will be led by the Dirba sub-divisional magistrate, PTI reported.

During the investigation, the Punjab police recovered 200 litres of ethanol, 156 bottles of alcohol, and 130 bottles containing the suspected spurious liquor. Additionally, 80 unlabelled bottles containing spurious liquor, 4500 empty bottles, and a bottling machine were also recovered.